Police Constable Flecher Jean of Bioche along with a Dublanc businessman, Clits Joseph have been granted bail in the sum of $45,000.00 following their not guilty pleas to possession of a firearm.
The accused man appeared before Magistrate Michael Laudat on June 30, 2023, separately charged.
It is alleged that on June 11, 2023, at Salisbury, Jean and Joseph had in their possession one black Taurus 9mm pistol without being the holder of a valid firearm license. Both men opted for a summary trial at the Magistrate’s court and pleaded not guilty to the charge after it was read to them.
At the hearing, Police Prosecutor, Sergeant Vivian Augustine did not object to bail as he said the prosecution will allow the court to use its discretion in this matter. He did, however, urge the presiding Magistrate to take guidance from section 6, 7:1 (d), and 7:2 of the Bail Act.
In his bail application to the court, defense attorney Wayne Norde said, his clients were well-respected men in their communities.
Norde pointed to the fact that Joseph, a businessman, and Jean, a police officer for 10 years had no convictions prior to their arrest.
In his attempt to sway the court in granting bail to the men, the defense attorney stated that based on the lapse in time from the date the crime was allegedly committed to the date of the charge, “it is safe to conclude that there is no need to keep them in custody for their own protection.”
He posited that during the over two-week investigation, none of the men attempted to evade the police or flee the State which according to him is indicative of the fact that they are not a flight risk.
According to Norde, Jean who is attached to the Coast Guard Base has dealt with numerous people some of whom are awaiting trial at the prison. Hence, the defense attorney insisted that it is not in the interest of justice or the public’s interest to have him remanded into custody at the Dominica State Prison for his safety.
In conclusion, he averred that the defense satisfied the court’s requirement in section 7:2 of the Bail Act and urged the court to be satisfied that the appropriate circumstances exist in granting bail to Joseph and Jean.
In handing down his decision, Magistrate Laudat said, it would not be in the public’s interest to deny bail to the men. Hence bail was consequently granted in the sum of $45,000.00 each with a suitable surety for both accused.
As part of their bail conditions, Joseph and Jean are required to surrender all their travel documents to the court and must not apply for new ones; they must not leave the State without first applying to the court for permission to do so; they are to report to the Colihaut Police station every Monday and Friday and must live an honest and industrial life and not re-offend whilst on bail.
The matter was adjourned to October 5, 2023, at the St. Joseph Magistrate court.
I would rely like to know why I police officer in the force for 10 years does not qualify for a firearm license when we have all Rouges vagabonds criminals and thieves roaming the place free of charge. The human smuggling and the attempted illegal removal of Akuma is a more serious crime. Why is Julius Corbett still on the force and why is he and the others who were in charge not arrested? What about those who murdered an individual in possi and at Roseau police station. What about those who did not show up to court and those who had committed theft. I am left to wonder if these guys why? If they violated the law then they deserve appropriate punishment. So to do the others.
Does anyone think this is just an isolated case of a police officer dabbling in criminality? Think about the manner these armed thugs (‘police’ ) usually conduct themselves.
They shoot, kick, punch, slap, choke, threaten, verbally abuse those who they are supposed to serve and protect. Even though at times the job of an officer can be extremely challenging, they are trained to uphold the laws and to deescalate when things become volatile.
Sad but true. The Roosevelt led government is even worse corrupt than its most corrupt police officers.
Every organ or system of government, especially the militia, is populated with crooks, thieves, bandits and miscreants. When the head of government is a rotten apple all the other apples on the bunch become contaminated.
The entire civil service is overrun with degenerates. Civil servants in top positions have broken the law with immunity. There are still some outstanding money laundering cases, illegal issuance of work permits and driver’s licences, kidnapping of Choski, murder and attempted murder, still to be tried in the high court.
Dominica is a perfect paradise for the corrupt to live and hide. International fugitives like NG Lapseng, Alison Madueke, Francesco Corolla and Ali Zeza Monfared were magnetically drawn to this island for refuge.